Dear Colleagues,
I would like to share my experience of the process in Moscow. Here’s the long story: About a week before my departure to Moscow I received a request from Lisa Heft asking if I would carry the invitation from San Francisco for the OSonOS 2007. I replied that I would be honoured and delighted to do that, but would need some more information to do the best job I could. Lisa and I attempted to get in touch many times in the small space of time before the Moscow event, but we never managed to connect. Lisa is a remarkable woman whom I deeply respect—and so I did the best I could with what I knew. Lisa also asked and trusted me to be sensitive to whatever energy might emerge at the event itself. And energy did emerge. We were all astounded at the quality of the invitation put forward by three very professional women from Ukraine, including Yana. They spelled out many benefits of holding the next event in Ukraine. They were well-informed and responsive to our questions and concerns. We did not feel hijacked. There was no bullying. There was tremendous energy and positive spirit. Over the three days of the conference, we had come to know these women well. We were impressed by the quality of work they were doing in Ukraine. Amazed at how much space they were opening in all sorts of arenas from business to social service to government. We thought that the world community could benefit from exposure to this remarkable energy and growth that is happening with OS in Ukraine. We also had to confront some serious issues. When we asked who could come to San Francisco, and let me be clear, this was not who wanted to come, but who would literally be able to enter the country. Only those of us from Western countries raised our hands (8 out of about 60 present). When asked who could come to Ukraine, all raised their hands. This raised a huge question for me—one that burns still—in this political climate can North America issue a truly international invitation? (Galina was unable to obtain a visa to enter Canada in order to present the Moscow bid herself.) It was not an easy decision and one not lightly made. It was made after significant conversation and thought—all civil, respectful and inclusive of all the invitations presented and all those present. Yana is an intelligent, delightful, professional, hard-working woman doing excellent work in youth justice in Ukraine. To see her treated with disrespect verging on hatred is distressing. Wendy Wendy Farmer-O'Neil Prospera Communications & Consulting Services 250.713.2351/1.800.713.2351 weblog: www.wordgravity.blogspot.com -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.0.0/754 - Release Date: 4/9/2007 10:59 PM * * ========================================================== osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist